"In this theoretical universe, well-presented Republican policies should be capable of appealing to Black and Hispanic voters and be countered by well-argued Democratic arguments equally capable of appealing to gun-toting rural Whites and Christian conservatives. This is the myth of the 20th century in American politics, and it is one that both parties still pledge their allegiance to, but like most myths it exhales from a corpse."

{snip}

"Success under this system comes from tricking the party's core supporters into believing that you still represent them, while shamelessly making a different appeal to the uncommitted centre. Blessed with stupid enough core voters, the Reps and Dems have been free to enter a bidding war for those in the centre and become essentially the same party."